The Irate Adolescent
29 March 2021
RAYMOND SIGIMET
The mountain stream is young and sometimes reckless
From a tiny trickle, vexed and irritated, looks for outlet
After the rainbow when the storm rests up on the hills
He rushes down ravines and gullies, his fist full of water
This irate adolescent behind cover of the storm and bush
Surges down knocking and swiping at rocks, soil and roots
The canopy of vines, ferns, branches and leaves tremble
While boulders strain, pebbles roll and grind in his path
He takes everything to the sea and leaves them there
And goes back, a spoilt child, without care or remorse
It is the sea that comes up after the damage is done
To smooth over the sand and make everything new
Sounds about right.
Posted by: Michael Dom | 30 March 2021 at 07:49 AM
Michael, there's an old saying from people along the coast. I'll put it in Tok Pisin.
"Wara, em bikhet man. Solwara, em gutpla man. Solwara, taim em bagarapim ples, em yet bai stretim ken."
_________
KJ translation (not nearly as lyrical as the original) - 'The river is arrogant. The sea is a friend. Even when the sea causes havoc, it makes things right again.'
Posted by: Raymond Sigimet | 30 March 2021 at 05:37 AM
Hi Raymond, if you had named the irate young river in this piece I think the poem would express more personality.
Clearly you've witnessed this river and know it well enough.
Also the name of the seashore where the river unleashes its fury and the sea levels the jetsam without even straining.
Posted by: Michael Dom | 29 March 2021 at 09:54 AM